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Riviera Christian School first-grader Carmen Pilgrim takes her team to victory during race in the Country Kids Relays on Saturday, May 9, 2015, in Salem, Ore.(Photo: ASHLEY SMITH / STATESMAN JOURNAL)Buy Photo

Kids excitedly waited at their starting lines Saturday at Willamette University's McCulloch Stadium as they listened for the sound of the air horn.

Once the blast sounded, they were off with baton in hand, quickly making their way to their teammates who were ready and waiting for the handoff.

This year marks the 41st annual County Financial Kids Relays, which featured more than 3,000 first- through fifth-graders competing in 4-by-100-meter relays in teams of four.

The stands were packed with people holding huge banners, cheering on the runners.

Particularly loud hoops and hollers could be heard from the Queen of Peace school.

The first-grade boys team won first place in its heat.

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Bryant Williams, 15, volunteers at the Country Kids Relays on Saturday, May 9, 2015, in Salem, Ore. Williams raced in the event for six years when he was younger.(Photo: ASHLEY SMITH / STATESMAN JOURNAL)

Mark Martinmaas, the Queen of Peace school's physical education teacher, has been working with this group of kids since late March.

The teams spent the first 10 minutes of every recess training for the relays every day since spring break.

Martinmaas has been training students for the County Financial Kids Relays for 18 years.

"I love kids," he said, "and to be a part of this community event is nothing short of a blessing."

He added, "To see these kids excited, it's worth every 12-hour day."

Tommy VanBishler, 7, a member of the school's winning team, said it was a close race.

"I was tied with a guy," VanBishler explained, "but I beat him by 2 inches."

"My favorite park was when I was running alone in the lane because I got a head start," said teammate Josh Mosar, 7.

Martinmaas said this kind of event teaches the kids about the spirit of teamwork.

"I think it gives them dreams and hopes and lets them know that they can be successful," he said. "When you see the kids smile, you just can't put a price on that."

Joceylyn Jackson coached for Battle Creek Elementary School.

She said they trained two days a week at recess for 20 minutes for six weeks.

"I love the atmosphere of the event," she said. "It's fun for the whole team to get out and run, meet new kids, and be a little competitive."

Her daughter, McKenzie Jackson, 7, ran for Battle Creek's first-grade girls team, which came in third place.

McKenzie Jackson said that when she woke up Saturday morning, she was so excited that she ran screaming through her house.

Melinda Mokalla, recreation specialist for the city of Salem, said over the past four decades, over 100,000 Salem youth have participated in this event. Mokalla has coordinated the relays for 16 of those years.

"I like that the event stands for teamwork," she said. "I really enjoy watching the kids get out there and run their race together, and the excitement that they bring to the track.

"The teamwork is the most meaningful to me."

This year, 53 schools, more than 700 teams and more than 3,000 kids participated.

"One of the benefits of this event is that it gives kids a chance to participate, because the school pays the entry fee," Mokalla said. "It's not based on whether or not have I enough money, it's based on whether my school has enough money and if I am one of the fastest runners. It opens a lot of doors for kids that otherwise may not be feasible."

The relays also featured a Mayor's Mile for the eight fastest boys and girls, for which Salem Mayor Anna Peterson was the starter.

It took hundreds of volunteers to pull of this event. The shirts they wore were designed by Chapman Hill Elementary fourth-grader and relay participant Noelle Schmidt. Cheering stick figures holding batons decorate the front of the shirt.

Schmidt's class will receive a pizza party, and a $1,000 donation will be made to the elementary school.